A $28.1 million proposed bond that would have created three workforce development programs at Blue Mountain Community College failed to win over voters during Tuesday’s General Election. The Blue Mountain Community College Capital Improvement Bond failed with only 43.38% of the vote.

“We are deeply disappointed that voters rejected our Capital Improvement Bond,” said BMCC President Camille Preus. “Despite the outcome, I want to thank all of those in our community who supported our efforts, especially the Friends of Blue Mountain Community College. The BMCC Board of Directors is committed to providing quality education and cutting edge workforce development programs across our district and the funds, if approved, would have made those programs possible.”

The bond, had it been approved by voters, would have brought much needed renovations to the Pendleton campus and created three workforce development programs: Applied Animal Science in Pendleton, Precision Irrigated Agriculture in Hermiston, and Industrial Process and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs in Boardman.

After analyzing the election’s results, the BMCC Board of Directors will determine next steps to seek voter approval for capital improvement funds in the near future.